Preferential blood flow to brainstem during generalized seizures in the newborn marmoset monkey

The effect of generalized seizures on local cerebral blood flow was studied autoradiographically in 21 immature marmoset monkeys, using either [123I]- or [131I]isopropyliodoamphetamine. Generalized convulsions were induced in ketamine-anesthetized and awake monkeys with bicuculline and continued for 4-59 min. During convulsions in marmosets less than 3 weeks of age, there was a striking rearrangement of blood flow in favor of the brainstem pontomedullary region. The ratios of blood flow in pons-medulla to blood flow in cerebral cortex, putamen, ventroposterior thalamic nuclei, lateral geniculate nuclei, cerebellum and hemispheric white matter increased 1 1/2 to 2 times compared to controls. In seizure animals 4-8 weeks of age, the redistribution of blood flow to brainstem did not occur. Although metabolic acidosis developed after 30 min of bicuculline-induced seizures, mean arterial blood pressure, temperature, arterial pO2 and pCO2 did not differ significantly from controls, indicating that hypoxemia, hypercapnia and hypotension cannot explain the altered cerebral blood flow pattern. The redistribution phenomenon could be explained by more pronounced vasodilatation in brainstem than many other brain regions during generalized seizures in newborn monkeys. Lack of significant vasodilatation in forebrain structures such as cerebral cortex could contribute to neuronal damage by limiting substrate supply at a time of increased metabolic activity.